Optimized tape drive unmounting

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for faster unmount of tape drives includes generating a batch file to be migrated from a primary storage to a tape media acting as a secondary storage. The size of the batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a position in a longitudinal direction of storage (LPOS) and longitudinal position three (LP3) on the tape media. The computer-implemented method further includes migrating the batch file from the primary storage to the tape media mounted on a tape drive. Upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within a predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on the tape media.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method for faster unmount of tape drives, the computer-implemented method comprising:
 generating, by one or more processors, a batch file to be migrated from a primary storage to a tape media acting as a secondary storage, wherein a size of the batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a position in a longitudinal direction of storage (LPOS) and longitudinal position three (LP3) on the tape media; and 
 migrating, by the one or more processors, the batch file from the primary storage to the tape media mounted on a tape drive, wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within a predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on the tape media. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the LPOS is a file recording end position on the tape media that includes a longitudinal position with respect to a lateral position perpendicular to the longitudinal position. 
     
     
       3. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within the predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on a particular Wrap having a longitudinal recording direction from right to left on the tape media. 
     
     
       4. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within the predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on a particular Wrap having a longitudinal recording direction from left to right on the tape media. 
     
     
       5. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein a size of a batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a LPOS and a next successive LP3 on the tape media. 
     
     
       6. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein a size of a batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a LPOS and any subsequent LP3 on the tape media. 
     
     
       7. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, by one or more processors, a request to recall data stored on a second tape media; 
 unmounting, by the one or more processors, the tape media from the tape drive upon completion of migrating the batch file; and 
 mounting, by the one or more processors, the second tape media on the tape drive. 
 
     
     
       8. The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , wherein prior to unmounting the tape media from the tape drive:
 moving, by the one or more processors, the tape media to the beginning of the index partition located at LP3; and 
 overwriting, by the one or more processors, the index with file system meta-data associated with the batch file migrated to the tape media. 
 
     
     
       9. The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein a longitudinal distance required to move the tape media to the beginning of the index partition is within the threshold distance of LPOS from LP3 on the tape media upon completion of migrating the batch file to the tape media. 
     
     
       10. A computer program product for faster unmount of tape drives, the computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage media and program instructions stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions including instructions to:
 generate a batch file to be migrated from a primary storage to a tape media acting as a secondary storage, wherein a size of the batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a position in a longitudinal direction of storage (LPOS) and longitudinal position three (LP3) on the tape media; and 
 migrate the batch file from the primary storage to the tape media mounted on a tape drive, wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within a predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on the tape media. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein the LPOS is a file recording end position on the tape media that includes a longitudinal position with respect to a lateral position perpendicular to the longitudinal position. 
     
     
       12. The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within the predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on a particular Wrap having a longitudinal recording direction from right to left on the tape media. 
     
     
       13. The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within the predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on a particular Wrap having a longitudinal recording direction from left to right on the tape media. 
     
     
       14. The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein a size of a batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a LPOS and a next successive LP3 on the tape media. 
     
     
       15. The computer program product of  claim 10 , wherein a size of a batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a LPOS and any subsequent LP3 on the tape media. 
     
     
       16. The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising program instructions to:
 receive a request to recall data stored on a second tape media; 
 unmount the tape media from the tape drive upon completion of migrating the batch file; and 
 mount the second tape media on the tape drive. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer program product of  claim 16 , wherein prior to the instructions to unmount the tape media from the tape drive, program instructions to:
 move the tape media to the beginning of the index partition located at LP3; and 
 overwrite the index with file system meta-data associated with the batch file migrated to the tape media. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein a longitudinal distance required to move the tape media to the beginning of the index partition is within the predetermined threshold distance of LPOS from LP3 on the tape media upon completion of migrating the batch file to the tape media. 
     
     
       19. A computer system for faster unmount of tape drives, the computer system comprising:
 one or more computer processors; 
 one or more computer readable storage media; 
 computer program instructions; 
 the computer program instructions being stored on the one or more computer readable storage media for execution by the one or more computer processors; and 
 the computer program instructions including instructions to: 
 generate a batch file to be migrated from a primary storage to a tape media acting as a secondary storage, wherein a size of the batch file is determined based on an amount of available storage space on the tape media between a position in a longitudinal direction of storage (LPOS) and longitudinal position three (LP3) on the tape media; and 
 migrate the batch file from the primary storage to the tape media mounted on a tape drive, wherein upon completion of migrating the batch file, the LPOS is within a predetermined threshold distance of LP3 on the tape media. 
 
     
     
       20. The computer system of  claim 19 , wherein the LPOS is a file recording end position on the tape media that includes a longitudinal position with respect to a lateral position perpendicular to the longitudinal position.